A research team from the Ulsan National Institute of Science and Technology (UNIST) in South Korea has developed transparent solar cell technology capable of directly charging a battery from a glass surface. This innovation offers numerous applications, allowing for direct energy generation from sources like smartphone screens, car windows, and building facades.

Study: https://news.unist.ac.kr/new-study-unveils-all-back-contact-neutral-colored-transparent-crystalline-silicon-solar-cells-enabling-seamless-modularization/

  • deegeese
    link
    fedilink
    English
    arrow-up
    5
    ·
    1 day ago

    Weight is extremely important in automotive applications, and I see no info on how this compares to the weight of conventional auto glass.

    Most “solar on cars” doesn’t get past the gimmick stage because of unfavorable power to weight ratio.

    • csolisr@hub.azkware.net
      link
      fedilink
      arrow-up
      1
      ·
      1 day ago

      @deegeese @BrikoX If it’s light enough to be added liberally to a smartphone without turning it into a brick, it probably is light enough to add it to a car roof with no major weight added. The question is, will it actually absorb enough sunlight to fill a car battery?

      • deegeese
        link
        fedilink
        English
        arrow-up
        2
        ·
        1 day ago

        False comparison. Smart phones are volume constrained, cars are weight constrained.